Authentic Italian Salad Dressing
This zesty Italian salad dressing is the only one you’ll need for your salads! Learn how to make it.
This is the perfect Italian salad dressing for everyday use, and it is super easy to throw together. I use red wine vinegar, but white wine vinegar is fine, and if all you have is apple cider vinegar, feel free to use that. The dressing is not fussy at all! The dressing is flavored with dried herbs, fresh garlic (or garlic powder), and a little mustard. I sometimes add Parmesan cheese, but that’s optional. Making the dressing is a breeze, just add everything to a mason jar, put a lid on it, and shake! You could use a cruet or simply whisk it in a small bowl. It’s that easy!
I like making it in small amounts like this. It’s enough for 2 or 3 salads, and it doesn’t get lost in the back of the fridge for days or weeks.
What You’ll Like About This Dressing
Bright and flavorful. A balanced mix of vinegar, herbs, and good olive oil.
Quick to prepare. Just shake or whisk — it’s ready in minutes.
Versatile. Works on salads, vegetables, chicken, and pasta salads.
Customizable. Add Parmesan or adjust the herbs to taste.
Ingredient Notes
- Olive oil – Use extra-virgin for the fullest flavor.
- Red wine vinegar – Adds classic sharpness and brightness.
- Sugar – Just enough to balance the acidity, or use a replacement.
- Dijon mustard – Helps the dressing emulsify and adds mild tang.
- Lemon juice – Brightens the flavor; lemon pepper can replace the black pepper.
- Garlic – Fresh or powdered; see storage notes for safety with fresh garlic.
- Oregano & basil – Essential Italian-style herbs.
- Sea salt & black pepper – Season to taste.
- Parmesan – Optional, but adds savory richness.
Steps to Make Authentic Italian Salad Dressing
- Combine all ingredients in a jar or bowl.
- Shake or whisk until the dressing comes together.
- Chill until ready to serve.
- Shake again before using.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Tips
- Shake the dressing well each time before serving.
- Adjust the acidity by adding more vinegar or lemon juice to taste.
- Use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic if you need longer storage.
- Add a spoonful of Parmesan for a richer, more robust dressing.
Variations
- Spicy Italian Dressing: Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or Calabrian pepper.
- Lemony Dressing: Replace 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar with 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Herbs: Replace the basil and oregano with 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of an Italian herb blend.
- Honey: For a touch of sweetness, add a teaspoon or two of honey.
- Balsamic Vinegar: For a sweet and tangy flavor, add 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar along with the wine vinegar.
- Sugar Alternative: Instead of granulated sugar, use a sugar replacement, such as allulose.
- Creamy: Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise to the dressing for a slightly creamy version.
- Pesto: add a tablespoon of homemade or store-bought pesto for a stronger herb flavor.
- Greek-Style: Add a few teaspoons of crumbled feta and 2 teaspoons of chopped kalamata olives for a Mediterranean twist.
How to Use Italian Salad Dressing
- Marinating: Italian dressing makes a fantastic marinade for chicken, steak, and pork. Combine the meat with the salad dressing in a container or a zip-close bag, and marinate in the fridge for a few hours before grilling, pan-frying, or baking.
- Vegetables: Toss vegetables, such as onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and summer squash in Italian salad dressing before roasting or grilling.
- Pasta Salad: Italian dressing is an excellent choice for pasta salads, such as my favorite tortellini salad. Toss the cooled pasta, herbs, cheese, and vegetables with Italian dressing for a quick and refreshing summer salad.
- Dipping Sauce: Italian dressing makes a tasty dipping sauce for breadsticks, vegetable dippers, and even wings.
- Potatoes: Toss roasted potatoes with Italian salad dressing and grated Parmesan for a unique flavor twist.
- Sandwiches: Use Italian dressing as a spread on sandwiches in place of mayo or mustard.
- Tuna Salad: Add a teaspoon or so to your regular tuna or chicken salad for a zesty flavor.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Keep the dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If using fresh garlic, limit storage to 7 days for safety; garlic powder extends storage time.
Freeze: Not recommended, as oil-based dressings separate and lose texture when thawed.
Authentic Italian Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar, or a sugar replacement
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, or replace the black pepper with lemon pepper
- 1 garlic clove, pressed, or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder for longer storage (see storage note below)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a screw-top jar or bowl and shake or whisk until well blended. Alternatively, blend it with a stick blender or in a bullet-type of blender.
- Refrigerate until serving time.
Notes
⚠️ Use Caution When Using Fresh Garlic
Because fresh garlic, when mixed with oil, can cause foodborne illness if stored for more than 7 days (https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Can-you-get-botulism-from-garlic-in-oil). Always keep it refrigerated, and if you need to store it for a longer period of time, replace the fresh garlic with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
